Charles F. Anderson

Charles F. Anderson, 92, of Alexis and resident of Courtyard Estates in Monmouth passed away at 5:13 A.M. on January, 25 2017 at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL.

He was born June 5th, 1924 on his grandfather's farm northwest of Little York, Warren County. Charles was the youngest and last survivor of three sons born to Scotch-Irish parents, Charles Frederick and Edna May Seaton Anderson. He attended Brownlee District #19, a one room country schoolhouse, and graduated from Little York Community High School in 1942. After enrolling at Iowa State University (ISU) for one term, he was drafted into the US Army Signal Corps. on March 4th, 1943. He spent most of his military service in England, Normandy, Northern France and Central Europe. He was discharged December 20th, 1945 with honors at Camp Grant, IL.

Thereafter, he returned to college at ISU in March, 1946 and became very active in the Delta Chi Fraternity. He served as Vice President, President, Selected Chapter Luminary and was a member of the interfraternity council. Charles was chosen to represent all ISU fraternities as a National Interfraternity Conference delegate in NYC. He also was Secretary Treasurer of the Ag EC Club. He earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Agricultural Economics & Rural Sociology in March, 1949.

After graduation, he and his brother Robert proudly worked together on the Anderson farm. They were the 5th generation in over 150 years to farm land in the Ohio Grove Township area. They welcomed his nephews, Moses in 1982, Matthew in 1987, and later his great nephew Cyrus in 2005 to continue the Anderson Farm legacy. As early adopters of no-till farming practices, they were selected as conservation farm of the year in 1991 by the Mercer County Soil and Water Conservation District. Charles continued working on the farm until he was 85 years old.

On its 100th anniversary celebration on July 4th, 1935, Charles joined the Cedar Creek United Presbyterian Church northeast of Little York. He was the 5th generation of his family to join; and served faithfully as Chairman of the Congregation, Church Treasurer and member of the building committee. Sadly, the church was closed and demolished in 1962.

Outside of work on the farm and church, Charles was very active in his community. He served on the Board of Directors for the First State Bank of Little York, Monmouth Trust and Savings as well as Marquette Bank of Monmouth for a total of 21 years. He was president of the Cedar Creek Cemetery Association for 25 years. He was a real-estate broker for 38 years. Charles remained a life member of Alexis Post 189 American Legion & Monmouth Post 2301 Veterans of Foreign Wars. He also remained an active fraternity member of the ELKs #397 and #894 for a total of 71 years. The FFA chapter of Alexis made him an honorary member in 2000. He was also an ISU Alumni Association Member and member of several agriculture related organizations.

He was preceded in death by his parents, infant brother in 1920 and his brother Robert in 1997. Charles was elated to know his name would be carried on with his great great nephew Roman Charles Urbanczyk. Survived by: a cousin, Jean Ann (Jeff) Stafford of Shreveport, LA; two nephews, Moses (Roberta) Anderson of Alexis, IL and Matthew (Darlene) Anderson of Galesburg, IL; two great nephews, Cyrus (Heather) Anderson and Blake Anderson of Alexis, IL; two great nieces, Cierra (Steve) Urbanczyk of New Lenox, IL and Lindsey Anderson of Chicago, IL; Numerous step nieces and nephews: Stan (Lynn) Stripe of Milton, FL; Sherry Glas of Galesburg, IL; Jerry (Kathy) Stripe of Zephyrhills, FL; and Harry (Theresa) Stripe of Flower Mound, TX.

A Celebration of Life will be at 3:00 P.M, Saturday, February 4, 2017, at the Monmouth American Legion. Immediate family and very close friends of Charles will be privately invited to an interment of his ashes at the Cedar Creek Cemetery of Little York. The ceremony will include full military honors by the Alexis American Legion Post 0189 and Monmouth Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2301. Friend of the family, Pastor Sue Shike of Sunbeam United Presbyterian Church will officiate the service. The family gratefully declines flowers and donations. They will gladly accept your prayers, condolences and fond memories of Charles. The family also wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to Courtyard Estates for taking great care of Charles throughout these past years; to Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s Medical Intensive Care staff for the excellent patient care he received over the last two weeks; and the McGuire and Davies Funeral Home for assistance in carrying out his last wishes.